Protecting Tanzanian Women and Girls from Violence

Despite all the unsettling developments in the rest of the world,  the people of Pangani and their leaders ended the year 2017 with a sense of great achievement and hope for the future.

Whoever has doubts about what I am saying should have been in Msaraza village  on December 16th, 2017 at the awarding ceremony of the Pangani District Annual Village Leadership Competition.  In front of a large crowd community   leaders, youth and women leaders of 33 villages presented their success in fighting gender violence and promoting responsible and gender responsive  leadership in their village. It was amazing to witness their excitement and pride when they spoke about their work.  Pangani leaders provided evidence on how they brought  change to their village through their fight for justice and equal gender rights. They were able to see the effect of  their own long tradition of gender inequality, oppressive social norms  of male dominance and to realize what this has asked of them as leaders. And….they took action:

• They supported women  to access leadership positions
• They mobilized parents and members of the education and private  sector  to support   a conducive study environment for girls through the introduction study camps.
• They mobilized resources and contributed their personal money and time to establish school feeding programs
• They introduced a functioning and safe system for children to report sexual violence and abuse in all primary and some secondary schools
• They  formed local task forces to pursue cases of gender violence and child abuse in their villages.
• Village governments worked  with schools,  police and district authorities and brought perpetrators of gender violence and child abuse to justice resulting in an increase of cases reaching court.
• They have taken joint  action to stop forced and early marriage
•  They helped girls who had dropped out of school to go back and  continue with their studies.
• Women leaders supported each other to build their confidence as they pursue  women friendly development agendas

Most importantly, Pangani leaders have seen that they do have the power to change oppressive systems if they themselves  are willing to change.

This is empowerment,  this is transformation and this  has made our district a better place for its people.  The impossible has become possible!  

Along with our District stakeholders UZIKWASA  was  reassured   that our  transformative approaches in developing grass roots leaders, integrated with multimedia messaging  have been effective and  grown into  a strong program for social change.

 At the beginning of the new year 2018 we ask you not to get tired with your  support, but share our joy about was has been achieved and help us to maintain these achievements.   Together we will be able to move to the next level on our journey of conscious practice to transformation.

Links:

• UZIKWASA Website
• Article on UZIKWASA approaches to violence prevention